Ecological grief guidance and resources
Ecological grief is an emotional response to losing places, species or ecosystems that are important to us. People working in conservation or environmental professions can be at risk of ecological grief, but there are things you can do to find support.
Developing knowledge, skills and values about ecological grief can help you respond to it. This is called ecological grief literacy.
CBCS researchers, working with researchers from psychology and social sciences, have developed a set of principles, actions and resources to support ecological grief literacy. To learn more, including evidence-based actions that can help with ecological grief, see the "Ecological Grief Literacy" factsheet here.
You can also check these resources out:
- Ecological grief literacy: Approaches for responding to environmental loss. Conservation Letters.
- Many people are feeling ecological grief. How can we help those whose work puts them at risk? The Conversation.
- How our emotions can help us save the planet. TEDxUQ
| Ecological grief resources | |
|---|---|
| Ecology and conservation science societies | https://www.ecolsoc.org.au/resources/improving-mental-health-and-wellbeing/ |
| National psychological societies and associations have developed specific information about environmental crises | Australian Psychological Society: https://psychology.org.au/for-the-public/psychology-topics/climate-change-psychology American Psychological Association: |
| Groups of mental health professionals supporting people with the psychological effects of environmental degradation | Climate Psychology International (https://climatepsychologyinternational.org/) has a list of groups around the world, including: https://www.climatepsychologyalliance.org/ (UK) https://www.psychologyforasafeclimate.org/ (Australia) |
| Eco-psychology and deep ecology resources | Joanna Macy's work, and the book 'Coming Back to Life' (2022) is a valuable resource. |
| Arts-based ecological grieving | Many organisations use arts practices to support other actions: we recommend searching for environmental arts groups in your area, or starting your own. |
| Noticing and celebrating successes | |
Meditation and other contemplation practices, courses and retreats. Guided meditations can be a good way to start. We also recommend looking for groups or courses in your area. | https://www.compassionatemind.org.au/audio-exercises |
| Time in nature | Nurtured by Nature: Psychological research is advancing our understanding of how time in nature can improve our mental health and sharpen our cognition |
| Information and resources about bereavement and grief | |
| Environmental and climate action groups with a focus on activist wellbeing | Psychology for a Safe Climate's Climate Cafe sessions |
The information on this page is based on Cooke, A., Benham, C., Butt, N., and Dean, J. 2024. Ecological grief literacy: Approaches for responding to environmental loss. Conservation Letters, p.e13018.
Please contact Anna Cooke (a.cooke2@uq.edu.au) or Claudia Benham (c.benham@uq.edu.au) for more information.
Photo credits to Shutterstock and Queensland Museum/Gary Cranitch.